There seems to be a little bit of overcrowding in the R&B realm lately. With all these artists and more coming on the scene, everybody is trying to fight for that consumer dollar that ultimately determines the longevity of their musical careers. Whether you are a long-time veteran or the newest discovery, the bottom line is album sales for the most part. Nobody wishes this was the case, but that's the harsh reality of living in a capitalist society. Whether it's movies, music, sitcoms, or novelists, there is a certain level of success that you must maintain to keep the higher-ups happy. Dwele must have mustered enough buzz and sales from his first major release Subject in 2003 that Virgin gave him another go with his latest album Some Kinda.
You'll find a perfect blend of soul, jazz, funk, and blues on Some Kinda, a change that probably comes with most follow-up albums by artists trying to find their sound. Dwele dives right into the melting pot of genres with the song "Holla," a cut that's smooth enough to be played in those ultra swank lounges that us 'Grown And Sexy' people like to frequent. "A Pimp's Dream" is rich in jazz, with horns resonating ever so eloquently and Dwele lacing some of his own bravado in the lyrics. "Know Your Name" and "Lay It Down" are probably two songs that most would say sound a lot like music from his Subject disc, but they're certified bangers regardless of what album they're on. "My Lova/Movement," "Weekend Love," and the title track "Some Kinda" are all good examples of standard Dwele songs.
The first single "I Think I Love You" is probably the only song that would somewhat fit with today's urban radio market, sounding a lot like something Musiq Soulchild would do. The melodic yet humorous "Flapjacks" and the heartfelt "Old Lovas" are both decent album tracks, but nothing you'd probably ever hear on the airwaves. Besides a few guest appearances by Slum Village on the mid-tempo groove "Keep On" and jazz musician Boney James on the intimate song "Wake The Baby," Dwele makes the rounds by himself on this album. Most artists would probably solicit the help of anyone and everyone for some kind of mainstream buzz to make sure their album is a commercial success. Dwele goes against the norm prevalently found in the music industry, basically relying on his words, his vision, and his talents. This is very admirable considering that a lot of artists don't have those qualities or just simply push them to the side when it comes to trying to climb the charts. Hopefully everyone will have Some Kinda love for Dwele and pick up yet another one of his exceptional ensembles.
